France increases risk level for HPAI to moderate

France has increased the risk level for HPAI to moderate after the discovery of the H5N8 virus in a wild duck in Germany as well as cases in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Minister for agriculture Stéphane le Foll took the decision after receiving an advice from the national agency for risk assessment, Anses.

It is the first time since 2007 that France has declared a moderate risk level for avian influenza. Le Foll stressed however that so far no case of H5N8 has been detected in France.

Because of the heightened risk level, poultry holders have to step up the vigilance for clinical signs of the disease among their animals. They also have to take special precautions when feeding their birds or giving them water. In a number of regions which are considered most at risk specific measures are in place, according to the department for agriculture.